Rana Shamim, journalists prima facie committed contempt of court: IHC

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed on Friday that apparently former Gilgit-Baltistan chief judge Rana Shamim and journalists committed criminal contempt, as the affidavit reported by the newspaper was not part of any court proceedings.

“The court is satisfied that the acts of the alleged contemnors, prima facie, constitute committing criminal contempt and, therefore, proceeded under the Ordinance of 2003 by framing of charge,” the 12-page written order of the hearing, held on Dec 28, said.

The court summoned Rana Shamim, and others on Jan 7 for indictment in the contempt of court case. The court also appointed Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Javed as prosecutor in the case.

The court order said that editor Aamer Ghauri and journalist Ansar Abbasi had adopted unexpected stance before the court and stated that they had published the news story in the public interest. It seemed that the editor and the journalist concerned considered the affidavit content as correct.

The order stated that freedom of expression did not apply on the cases pending in the courts. The detailed order said Aamir Ghauri and Ansar Abbasi stressed that “reporting and publication of the news item, regardless of its consequences, was protected by the freedom of expression as a journalistic duty.

“This court is mindful of the paramount importance of guarding free press and freedom of expression and it is manifested by its judgments,” the order said. However, the order added that any publication calculated to interfere with the due administration of justice or prejudicial to the rights of others is definitely not covered under the freedom of expression.

The order said prima facie, the news report was published without taking reasonable care. “No attempt was made by the journalist to verify the material facts from the Registrar of this court whether the judge named therein had been performing judicial functions or was on leave and whether he was one of the members of the bench constituted during the relevant period.

“It further appears that the reporter had not sought any legal advice regarding the status of a copy of a leaked document in the form of an affidavit,” added the order.